Love Shack

from Blue Mountains Love magazine | Autumn/Winter | Issue 1

Escape

DESCRIBED AS ‘AIRBNB FOR WEDDING VENUES’, WEDSHED IS THE BRAINCHILD OF AMY PARFETT AND MELANY MCBRIDE, A COUPLE OF GALS DETERMINED TO PUT THE SOUL BACK INTO RECEPTION VENUES. THEY TOOK TIME OUT FROM SCOURING FARMYARDS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO TALK BARN APPEAL.

What led you to start WedShed?

Amy We first realised that the process of finding unique and personal wedding venues was really tricky while searching online one night a few years ago for a newly engaged girlfriend. The same traditional, soulless venues kept cropping up, and after exhausting the most logical (and random) search terms and still digging up no gold, we felt deflated and discouraged. It sucked to be of no use to our friend and we could only imagine how frustrated she must have been.

Mel We knew there had to be more amazing spaces out there, and that there must be plenty of venue owners who wanted an easier way to connect with couples. We don’t remember if it was the same night or another one (all we remember is there was wine involved, as with all good ideas) when we realised someone needed to bridge this gap for couples, and that it should be us. Fast-forward several years, and here we are.

Amy We’ve learned through this journey that while choosing a wedding venue is hugely personal, there are a few things many of our favourite venues all have in common. These key ingredients include the flexibility to make the space what you want it to be – for example, to style it in a way that reflects your personal tastes and interests, the ability to work with vendors you love and a great view and connection with the surrounding landscape.

Mel You know what they say about walking into a house and knowing if it could be a ‘home’? We think you also get that feeling when you’re looking at venues – some just get you excited. Go with your gut.

What is particularly appealing about ‘sheds’?

Amy There’s just something so exciting to us about taking a fairly basic structure and transforming it into something seriously beautiful that delights your guests. We’re suckers for a good blank canvas and there’s a certain Australiana romance to knowing you’re celebrating your big day in a space that once served as a farm workspace (or may still be serving, in fact). Mel Aside from the nostalgia of a shed, there’s generally more flexibility (the F-word – we drop it often, as you might have noticed). Farm sheds in particular generally won’t have specific ‘bump in and out’ times, as they’re on private properties with owners that can give you a more personal service. And given that most of our shed venues are set outside main cities, it means your wedding helps support local business by bringing tourism dollars to the surrounding region. That is a really good feeling, for us and our couples.

What is special about getting married in the Blue Mountains?

Amy This will sound silly, but the mountains themselves are the most special thing to us about getting hitched here. The way they change colour throughout the day and the views they allow. Also, the lovely people who have made their livelihood in the Blue Mountains make it a warm and welcoming place to be married. BML

AMY & MEL’S top tips FOR VENUE HUNTING

USE GOOGLE CREATIVELY. Try typing the name of the region you’re considering getting married in with the word ‘wedding’ next to it, and then head straight to the Google images tab. Often this will lead you to local photographers’ blogs, where you may find some lesser-known venues.

SET A TENTATIVE BUDGET. We use the word ‘tentative’ because we understand budget blow-out is a contagious condition that affects all couples, but this will help you to shortlist venues.

DECIDE HOW HANDS-ON YOU WANT TO BE. Some venues – particularly the blank-canvas ones – require you to coordinate everything. This is awesome if you have a strong vision for how you want the day to look and can get organised. Other venues will have their own in-house wedding manager, who can help you out along the way. Note: don’t let the blank-canvas venues alarm you – you can always hire a wedding planner or coordinator to help you.

IF YOU KNOW THE REGION YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED IN, CHECK OUT WHAT’S ON BEFORE SETTING THE DATE. You’ll want to avoid major events as there may be a shortage of accommodation for your guests.

Check out lots of wedding blogs – and we might be able to help you out, too. We’ve got hundreds of unique properties around Australia that lend themselves perfectly to weddings.